Mary Shepherd stormed into the house, her face flushed with a mix of indignation and defiance. Her brother, Derek, followed close behind, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. The tension between them was palpable, slicing through the air like a scalpel.
"You're too young for this, Mary!" Derek exclaimed, his voice echoing in the spacious living room.
Mary whirled around to face him, her eyes blazing. "Too young? Really, Derek? Because it seems like I'm only 'too young' when it suits you."
In the dining room, the clatter of cutlery paused as Meredith, Mark, and Lexie looked up, sensing the brewing storm.
Derek, struggling to maintain his composure, replied, "It's different, Mary. You were caught with Jackson Avery in the on-call room. That's not appropriate."
"Oh, and I suppose everyone else in this house hasn't done that?" Mary retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're all hypocrites!"
Derek's jaw tightened. "We weren't nineteen, Mary!"
"That's not my fault!" Mary shot back. "I'm younger than the other residents by seven years because you allowed it. You thought I could graduate high school at twelve. You told me I should take the dual degree program to get my MD in six years. You pushed me to be this prodigy, and now you're upset about the consequences?"
Derek opened his mouth to respond, but Mary cut him off. "And why aren't you proud of me? Today, I performed my first craniotomy under Dr. Nelson's supervision. But you wouldn't know that, would you? You're too obsessed with the 'Avery situation.'"
Derek's expression softened slightly, surprise and a hint of pride mixing with his frustration. "I didn't know about the surgery, Mary. I..."
But Mary was relentless. "You didn't know because you didn't let me tell you. I tried, but all you cared about was the stupid on-call room! You're more concerned about my personal life than my professional achievements!"
At the dinner table, Meredith exchanged a worried glance with Lexie, while Mark leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting between Derek and Mary. He knew when to intervene and when to let them hash it out.
Derek's voice rose, his patience fraying. "You're still a child, Mary! Of course, I care about your personal life!"
"I am not a fucking child, Derek! I am a surgical resident!" Mary's retort was fierce, echoing through the house.
Derek's face turned red, anger and concern mixing in his elevated voice. "There are rules in this house about safety and respect, Mary. And you're breaking both!"
"I'm only giving back the respect I'm getting from you!" Mary countered.
Mark finally stood up, his voice stern. "Enough, both of you. If you're going to argue, do it respectfully."
Mary opened her mouth to argue, but Mark's stern gaze silenced her. "Yes, sir," she muttered, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
Derek nodded, his voice softer as he apologized to Mark. But the truce was short-lived.
Mary and Derek reluctantly took their seats at the dinner table, the usual chatter and clinking of cutlery replaced by a heavy silence. Mark, Meredith, and Lexie exchanged uneasy glances, knowing well the volatility of Shepherd family dynamics. Derek and Mary, especially, were way too similar to each other.
Derek, trying to regain some semblance of control, turned to Mary with a stern look. "We need to talk about your responsibilities, Mary. You're not just any resident; you're a Shepherd."
Mary, her frustration still evident, shot back, "And being a Shepherd means what exactly? That I can't have a personal life? That I can't have sex? That I have to be perfect all the time?"
Meredith, in an attempt to defuse the situation, interjected softly, "Mary, Derek is just concerned about you. We all are."
Mary's gaze softened slightly towards Meredith but hardened again as she faced Derek. "I appreciate your concern, Meredith. But Derek, you're not seeing the whole picture. I'm not a kid anymore. I'm doing surgeries, making life and death decisions. But you still treat me like I'm eight years old."
Derek sighed, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "It's not about treating you like a child. It's about the fact that your actions reflect on all of us. Me, Mark, Meredith, even Lexie. Everyone knows that you are a Shepherd, and you have to live up to the name. You can't keep getting caught in the on-call rooms."
Mary eyed the neurosurgeon in disbelief, "That did not seem to stop you or Mark! Or Meredith and Lexie for that matter! Why are things different now that-"
Mark, finally deciding to step in, addressed them both. "Listen, both of you. Mary, Derek's got a point about your actions reflecting on us - you are young, and people will judge you; don't give them more reasons to distrust you. But Derek, you've got to let her make her own mistakes. That's part of growing up. And it's not like all of us haven't spent our share of time in the on-call rooms."
Lexie, her voice gentle yet firm, added, "It's about finding balance, right? We've all been through this in our own ways."
Derek nodded slowly, his expression softening. "I know you're capable, Mary. I just... I worry about you. I've always felt responsible for you, especially after Mom and Dad..."
Mary reached across the table, placing her hand over Derek's. "I know, Derek. And I love you for that. But I'm not the little girl you used to protect from scraped knees anymore. I'm a surgeon, just like you. And sometimes, that means making my own decisions, even if they're mistakes. And, for the record, I do not think Jackson is a mistake."
There was a long pause as Derek absorbed her words, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and reluctance to let go.
Finally, he spoke, his voice softer, "I guess I need to start trusting you more, huh? As a surgeon, and as my sister."
Mary's expression softened. "And I need to remember that you're looking out for me, not trying to hold me back. And that I have a family name to live up to."
Mark, seeing the reconciliation, smiled wryly. "Glad we sorted that out. Now, can we eat before the food gets cold?"
Laughter broke out, easing the remaining tension. The conversation slowly drifted to lighter topics, with everyone contributing. Derek and Mary exchanged smiles, an unspoken understanding bridging the gap between them.
As the night progressed, the dinner table became a place of shared stories and laughter, a reminder that beneath the arguments and the stress, there was an unbreakable bond of family and love that held them all together.
After dinner, the Shepherd-Grey household buzzed with activity as everyone pitched in to clean up. Derek, with a light-hearted tone that hinted at their deep sibling bond, playfully nudged Mary, "You've almost got the dish stacking down to a science."
Mary, always quick with a comeback, rolled her eyes and retorted, "Because that's exactly the skill I want to be known for, Derek."
Meredith and Lexie, standing side by side at the sink, exchanged a knowing smile. Lexie's laughter was a gentle sound in the bustling kitchen. Mark, wiping down the counters with deliberate strokes, chuckled, "It's the little victories in life, Mary. Celebrate them."
Once the cleaning was done, the group made their way to the living room, each finding comfort in their usual spots on the couches. The TV show, a medical drama, flickered on the screen, ready to be dissected by the group of real-life medical professionals.
Lexie, pointing at a particularly egregious scene, chuckled, "I mean, who diagnoses a rare disease in a one-minute consult? Even House would need longer."
Derek, leaning back with an amused smirk, chimed in, "And look at that CPR technique. At that rate, they're more likely to kill the guy than save him."
Meredith, with her trademark blend of humor and insight, added, "The interns knowing how to put in central lines is the most unrealistic part. Our interns can barely take blood, much less put in a central line."
The conversation took a playful turn when Derek brought up Mary's recent romantic escapade. "Jackson Avery, huh? Of all the residents, Mary?"
Mary's laughter was genuine and infectious. "What can I say? Attraction isn't always logical."
Mark, feigning exasperation while covering his ears, groaned, "I do not need to hear about my sister's love life, especially not when it involves my resident."
Meredith, with a teasing glint in her eye, chimed in, "Oh Derek, remember your early days? Not so different, were you?"
Derek, now laughing, shot back, "Let's not dredge up the past, shall we?"
The mood shifted as they turned to discuss Mary's recent craniotomy. Derek's tone became more serious, reflective of his dual role as Mary's mentor and brother. "How did you handle the brain swelling during the operation?"
Mary, eager to share her experience, responded with enthusiasm, "I prepped with mannitol beforehand. It kept the swelling to a minimum, giving us a better view of the surgical field."
"And the approach for the skull opening?" Derek asked.
Choosing her words carefully, Mary explained, "I went with a bicoronal flap. It seemed like the best balance between access and safety."
Derek nodded, visibly impressed. "What about the dural opening? That can be tricky."
With a confident smile, Mary said, "I used micro-scissors for the initial incision, expanding carefully to minimize risk of tearing."
"And the tumor resection itself?" Derek's questions, though technical, carried an underlying tone of encouragement.
Mary replied, "I focused on preserving the surrounding brain tissue as much as possible."
Derek's expression softened, and his voice carried a warmth that spoke volumes of his pride. "Sounds like you handled it with the skill of a seasoned surgeon. I'm really proud of you, Mary."
Mary's face lit up with pride and gratitude. "Thanks, Derek."
--
As the rest of the house settled into the quiet of the night, Derek and Mary found themselves in the study, surrounded by medical journals and screens displaying videos of Derek's past surgeries. Derek, sitting beside Mary, clicked on a video. "Alright, let's go through this procedure. It's a complex temporal lobe resection. Watch how I approach the Sylvian fissure."
Mary leaned in, her eyes focused on the screen. "You're using a lateral approach, staying above the vein of Labbé?"
"Exactly," Derek nodded, pleased. "Now, what's critical about handling the middle cerebral artery in this approach?"
Mary considered for a moment. "It's vital to avoid traction to prevent ischemic complications, especially given its proximity to the operculum."
"Good," Derek affirmed. "Now, observe here," he pointed to a moment in the video. "What am I doing differently?"
Mary studied the screen intently. "You're using micro-doppler to ensure you're not near any major vessels."
"Correct," Derek said, his tone encouraging. "It's about minimizing risk while maximizing access."
The session continued, Derek guiding Mary through the intricacies of neurosurgical techniques. He paused another video. "Here we're dealing with an arteriovenous malformation. What's the key consideration in this resection?"
Mary hesitated slightly. "Maintaining... um, the integrity of the feeding arteries until the end of the resection?"
Derek corrected her gently, "Close, but it's actually the draining veins you want to preserve until the end. If you cut off the arterial supply too soon, it can lead to venous congestion and hemorrhage."
Mary nodded, absorbing the correction. "Right, I see. Preserve the draining veins. Got it."
They moved on to another complex case. Derek's tone was both questioning and instructive. "Here's a challenging one. During a deep-seated tumor resection near the brainstem, how would you manage the cranial nerves?"
Mary paused, collecting her thoughts. "For a tumor near the brainstem, especially involving cranial nerves, continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring is crucial. I'd monitor motor and sensory evoked potentials to ensure the integrity of the nerves."
Derek's eyes lit up with pride. "That's spot on, Mary. Protecting the cranial nerves is critical in such surgeries."
Suddenly, the soft click of a camera shutter broke their concentration. They looked up to find Meredith standing at the door, a gentle smile on her face, her phone in hand.
"Couldn't resist capturing this moment," Meredith said softly. "You two, lost in your world of neurosurgery."
Derek and Mary looked at each other, their smiles widening. In that moment, captured in Meredith's photo, was the essence of their bond – a blend of mentorship, sibling love, and a shared passion for their calling.
Meredith watched from the doorway, a soft smile playing on her lips as Derek and Mary continued their intense study session.
Derek, clicking to another surgical video, asked, "In this case of intracranial aneurysm, what's the main risk during the clipping process?"
Mary leaned in, scrutinizing the video. "Risk of rupture due to excessive manipulation?"
Derek nodded, then gently corrected, "That's one risk, yes. But the primary concern here is avoiding occlusion of the parent artery. It requires a delicate balance."
Realization dawned on Mary's face. "Of course, maintaining blood flow is critical. I should have thought of that."
Derek asked, ensuring her understanding, "Got it?"
"Yes, sir," Mary replied, a touch of respect in her voice.
This exchange caught Meredith's attention, and she commented, "It's interesting to hear you call Derek 'sir,' especially after the heated argument earlier."
Mary blushed slightly, looking down, "Yeah, I shouldn't have spoken to him like that. I was out of line."
Derek chuckled, pulling her into a side hug. "You should not have, that's true. It was disrespectful." His tone was firm yet not unkind. "I deserved it, though."
She apologized quietly, looking at her brother, "I'm sorry, Derek."
He reassured her, "It's fine, Mary. I was out of line too. We both were."
Meredith, curious, asked, "Why do you address him as 'sir' though? It's not common between siblings."
Mary explained, "He's more than just a brother to me. He's been my guardian, my mentor."
Derek added, "I never asked for it, but I understand why she does it. It's a sign of respect."
Meredith recalled a similar instance. "Earlier, you responded 'yes, sir' to Mark's reminder about respect too."
Mary responded with a smile, "Mark would most definitely tell me off if I even dared to respond in any other way. I wanted to argue when he first intervened between me and Derek during the argument, reminding us to be respectful, but, fortunately, I looked up to see his look and thought better of it."
Meredith, intrigued by this revelation, voiced her surprise, "Mark seems so easygoing; it's hard to imagine him being strict like that."
Derek and Mary both chuckled at Meredith's comment. Derek then shared a glimpse of Mark's other side, saying, "There's nothing that infuriates Mark more than being disrespected. Even I've been on the receiving end of a stern reprimand from Mark about my tone and attitude. He can let a lot of things slide - he has let a lot of things slide," Derek said, looking at his sister, "in most cases, I was and am the 'strict' brother. But when it comes to respect? He is a hardass."
Mary nodded, agreeing. "When I was growing up, especially during my teenage years - not like I am in my twenties now or anything - Mark would be the one I called when I messed up." She grinned sheepishly at Derek, who only ruffled her hair affectionately. "He covered me so many times because some of the stuff I pulled... Derek would have flipped!" She laughed a little as her eldest brother rolled his eyes. "But when it comes to respect, I learnt early on that Mark would never budge on that. He takes it as a personal insult."
Meredith couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the usually laid-back Mark Sloan taking on the role of a disciplinarian. It was another layer to their complex family dynamics that she was still discovering and understanding.
Meredith, still intrigued, asked, "But why respect to this extent? Doesn't it feel weird, to address your brother as 'sir'?"
Mary explained, "He's more than just a brother to me. Derek and Mark, they've been everything – parents, teachers, protectors. Since middle school, addressing them as 'sir' in certain contexts became a way for me to show respect and separate our personal and professional relationships."
Derek added, "Once again, I never asked her to do it, but over time, it became an expectation in learning and disciplinary environments. It helps us maintain a professional dynamic when it's needed."
Meredith nodded, understanding dawning. "So, it's a way to balance the many roles you all play in each other's lives."
"Exactly," Mary said. "And when I responded 'yes, sir' to Mark earlier, it was the same principle. They're not just my brothers; they raised me. Their role has always been multifaceted."
Derek continued, "It's about compartmentalizing. In a learning or disciplinary situation, 'sir' helps us focus on the issue, not the emotions. Even Mark is expected to address me as 'sir' in those rare instances when I have to correct him, just as anyone in the hospital would address me as Chief of Surgery."
Mary added, "It helps me too. When I was younger, being disciplined by a brother felt different than what I saw with my friends and their parents. Afterward, I felt like I could not talk to Derek or Mark because I had disappointed them. Most kids would go to their siblings for comfort after being chastised by their parents, but Derek and Mark had to fulfill both roles. Addressing them as 'sir' helped me process it as a learning moment, not personal. I felt like I could still approach them afterwards for comfort without the added embarrassment of having messed up."
The conversation then drifted to other topics, the night growing late. Derek and Mary continued to discuss neurosurgical techniques, Meredith occasionally chiming in with questions or comments.
As the clock ticked past 2 AM, Derek finally closed his laptop. "That's enough for tonight. You did great, Mary."
Mary, her eyes reflecting a mix of fatigue and satisfaction, smiled. "Thanks, Derek."
They all stood, stretching and preparing to head to bed. The house was quiet, the rest of the family already asleep. As they parted ways at the top of the stairs, Derek gave Mary a gentle hug. "Get some sleep, kid. "
Mary grinned, "I'm not a kid, but sure."
Meredith watched them, a warm feeling in her heart. The bond between Derek, Mark and Mary was something special, a blend of mentorship and sibling love that was rare and beautiful. As she headed to bed, she thought about the unique family she had become a part of, feeling grateful for the love and respect that filled their home.